Ubisoft London, Creator of Hungry Shark, Faces Potential Closure

The London-based mobile studio of Ubisoft, renowned for developing the popular Hungry Shark series, is slated for closure. This move puts 54 positions in jeopardy. The Hungry Shark franchise will henceforth be overseen by Ubisoft Barcelona, which has been involved in supporting the intellectual property. With over a billion downloads since its inception in 2010, the series has seen significant success. Originally established as Future Games of London in 2009, Ubisoft acquired the studio in 2013 following the initial success of Hungry Shark. This development follows a series of restructuring measures across Ubisoft, announced after the company adjusted its sales projections in January. In a statement, Ubisoft explained, "As we continue to optimize efficiency, simplify operations, and reduce expenditure, we are proposing to consolidate the management of the Hungry Shark franchise under our Ubisoft Barcelona Mobile studio, which already handles a portion of it." The statement further added, "In line with UK regulations, we are initiating consultations with our London team regarding the proposed studio closure, which would affect 54 positions. We appreciate the dedication and contributions of our London colleagues to the franchise's success and are committed to supporting them through this process with utmost care."